THE Home Ministry plans to introduce a mechanism to enable former offenders, who do not commit new offences within a set period, to be regarded as having no criminal record.
Its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) said the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act was being amended to introduce a “spent convictions” mechanism aimed at giving former offenders a second chance.
The proposed amendments, which received Cabinet approval on May 21 last year, would allow certain criminal records to be ‘deactivated’ after the individuals complete their sentences and remain crime-free for a specified period.
“The purpose of this amendment is to give a second chance to those involved, in line with our effort to channel the values of compassion and social justice into policy.”
“Under the proposed mechanism, individuals who have served their sentences, paid fines or compounds, and do not reoffend within a defined ‘crime-free period’ may have their records treated as spent, provided the offences are not classified as serious crimes,” he told Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu).
Roslan had asked whether the ministry was considering the removal of former inmates’ criminal records to make it easier for them to secure employment, particularly during the early stages of job applications, where background checks often pose a barrier to reintegration.
Saifuddin said the proposal had drawn on international best practices from countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Brunei and Australia, where certain criminal records may be exempted after a rehabilitation period but subject to conditions.
The proposed amendments are currently under review by the Attorney General’s Chambers, with plans to table the Bill in Parliament this year.
Saifuddin said that under the proposed framework, the person’s name would be entered into the criminal registry only after conviction, and once all appeals had been exhausted.
He also revealed that 2,632,248 people have been recorded under the Act since its introduction in 1969, describing the figure as substantial.
